Introduction
Ketamine is used as a dissociative anesthetic by many healthcare professionals to induce the loss of consciousness. But now it has become a popular club drug. The drug was first synthesized by Parke Davis in 1962 and used in humans in 1965. The United States military used it as an anesthetic during the Vietnam War. In addition, the agent is used as general anesthesia to sedate the patient and muscle relaxation. The emergency drug treats pain, mood disorders, depression, migraine, people with epilepsy, and sexual assault. Ketamine is a safe drug if used in a controlled way. However, its overdose can cause a negative impact on the person's physical and mental health. Misuse of the drug can result in serious health complications. The article is about the ketamine drug, its medical use, ketamine toxicity, causes, symptoms, treatment, and prevention.
What Is Ketamine Toxicity?
Ketamine is a powerful anesthetic drug that helps the person from pain. The drug is used both in medical and veterinary practices. Unfortunately, there are many adverse effects of ketamine overdose. It is used as general anesthesia at low doses and makes a person feel dreamlike. As the dose increases, the person feels like a separation from reality. There may be loss of consciousness in case of higher doses. A high amount of ketamine can result in several health issues and can even lead to death.
What Are the Causes of Ketamine Overdose?
Healthcare professionals administer ketamine intravenously or intramuscularly. The illegal form of ketamine is obtained in crystalline structures and is mixed in the liquid before ingestion. In addition, people who work in medical settings may administer the drug themselves. Ketamine is used more in veterinary practices than in medical procedures. Administering ketamine intravenously at home at a high dose is highly dangerous. The common factors associated with ketamine overdose are as follows:
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Mislabeled with unclear instructions on the drug packet.
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Mixing ketamine with sedatives, depressants, and alcohol can quickly become fatal.
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Some health problems, including liver diseases and kidney problems, may alter the body's interaction with ketamine. It may destroy the urinary bladder and make it difficult to excrete the drug in urine.
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A ketamine drug addict may take the drug at higher doses.
What Is the Pharmacology of Ketamine?
Ketamine is an N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist. Therefore, at high doses, the drug binds to the opioid and damages the neurotransmitter glutamate. The glutamate helps learning and memory and is involved in pain and emotions. The large volume of drug is distributed into the peripheral tissues within 10 to 15 minutes and eliminates up to three hours.
How Is Ketamine Misused?
Illegally ketamine is used as a drug. Some people inhale the drug through the nose at club parties. It can also be taken orally, mixed with drinks, and injected intravenously. Some people use ketamine drugs in combination with cocaine and marijuana.
What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Ketamine Toxicity?
Ketamine overdose can cause various health complications. There may be short-term effects and long-term effects. They are as follows:
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Short-term Effects: The short-term effects of ketamine toxicity include confusion, nausea, vomiting, hallucinations, drowsiness, double vision, dizziness, sedation, difficulty in concentration, learning difficulties, loss of memory, increased heart rate, and blood pressure.
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Long-term Effects: The long-term effects include ulcers, kidney problems, poor memory, depression, stomach pain, and pain in the bladder.
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At a high dose of ketamine, the effects include increased heart rate, heart palpitations, hypertension, and respiratory depression. It can even lead to death.
What Are the Adverse Reactions of Ketamine With Other Drugs?
The drug interaction is as follows:
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Aminophylline or Theophylline: The drugs are prescribed in case of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma. If taken with ketamine may increase the risk of seizures.
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Vasopressin: The drug is given to treat low blood pressure. If provided with ketamine may constrict the blood vessels more because ketamine is also prescribed to constrict the blood vessels.
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Antidepressants: The drugs like Benzodiazepines suppress the Central nervous system (CNS) action. Taking these drugs with ketamine may result in coma, sedation, and death.
What Are the Side-Effects of Ketamine Toxicity?
Ketamine overdose may be fatal in some people, including those who smoke, intake of caffeine, and drink alcohol. The intensity of side effects depends on the dose of ketamine. The risk of ketamine toxicity may involve many organs, including the heart, lungs, brain, and kidneys. The side effects are as follows:
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Heart: At low doses, there is increased or decreased heart rate, chest pain, and high blood pressure. At high doses, there are marked changes in blood pressure and heart rate.
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Central Nervous System: At low doses, the side effects include confusion, dizziness, drowsiness, hallucinations, numbness, sedation, lethargy, and loss of coordination. At high doses, the side effects are memory loss, increased temperature, seizures, hallucinations, coma, and violent behavior.
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Kidneys: At low doses, the side effects include kidney toxicity, and at high doses the side effects include chronic kidney failure.
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Gastrointestinal: Nausea and vomiting are the side effects of low doses of ketamine. At high doses, the side effects include nausea, vomiting, and stomach pain.
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Respiratory: At low doses the side effects include elevated breathing rate and at high doses it includes respiratory depression.
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Other: At low doses, the other side effects are dilated pupils, larynx spasms, and salivation. At high doses, the side effects include anxiety, fear, aggression, depression, muscle rigidity, and death.
How Can Ketamine Toxicity Be Treated?
Ketamine toxicity management is necessary to prevent life-threatening complications. The healthcare professional may monitor the drug overdose. Some people report immediately after the drug toxicity, and some people report six hours after reporting. Ketamine toxicity patients need supportive care. In the case of respiratory support, the doctor may use intubation. In case of ketamine overdose, the doctor may use active charcoal with gastrointestinal detox.
The toxicity may interfere with breathing, and the doctor may administer drugs to improve respiration and even put the patient on a ventilator in case of severe toxicity. Benzodiazepines can be prescribed to slow down seizures and tremors.
How Can Ketamine Toxicity Be Prevented?
The best way to prevent ketamine overdose is to avoid ketamine recreational use. People should not use ketamine at home and club parties to avoid overdose. The drug should be taken under the prescription of the healthcare professional.
Conclusion
Ketamine is an anesthetic drug. The healthcare professional uses ketamine in case of general anesthesia to sedate the patient. Some people use the drug at home and club parties. People take the drug by mixing it in juice. The overdose of a drug may lead to ketamine toxicity. Drug toxicity may involve many organs like the brain, heart, and lungs, affecting the person's heart rate, breathing, and blood pressure and even leading to death. The healthcare provider may monitor the patient and provide supportive care and medications to eliminate the drug from the body. People should not illegally use ketamine.
